Sew or buy? The Christmas outfit dilemma facing Ghanaians
With Christmas approaching, the familiar question of what to wear for the festivities is once again taking shape for many Ghanaians: should they buy ready-made clothes or have a seamstress make an outfit to their taste? For some, buying off the rack offers convenience and avoids the uncertainty of waiting for a tailor-made outfit that may not be ready on time. Others, however, prefer custom-made…
With Christmas just around the corner, Ghanaians find themselves pondering a common dilemma: should they buy a ready-made outfit or commission a tailor-made one? Some opt for the convenience of store-bought clothes, while others prefer the personalization of custom-made garments. However, as the holiday rush intensifies, seamstresses are facing mounting pressure to meet tight deadlines.
Elizabeth Ockran, a seamstress, reveals that customers contribute to the delays, particularly when they submit their fabric choices very close to the festive season. She explains that when people bring their materials only a week or two before Christmas, there is little time left for seamstresses to complete the orders, especially when many individuals have similar requests.
Ockran emphasizes, "It's not that we are not able to sew. Sometimes the duration within which they bring their fabrics for us to sew makes it impossible for us to deliver on time."
For customers, receiving their outfits in time is a significant concern. Stephanie Ampong, for example, stresses the importance of timely delivery during Christmas. She wants her dress completed early enough to avoid the anxiety of not having a suitable outfit ready for the celebrations. Ampong explains, "I would like the tailor to sew my dress on time because at Christmas, a lot of people will be expecting their things. I will expect my things earlier so that I will be assured that my things are ready for Christmas."
As the festive season approaches, the competition to acquire the perfect outfit is already in full swing. Seamstresses are urging customers to submit their fabric choices well ahead of time, while customers are relying on seamstresses to meet the agreed-upon deadlines. Those who prefer ready-made clothes can turn to the shops for an alternative. Nevertheless, for enthusiasts of custom-made outfits, the anticipation is that their chosen designs will be ready long before Christmas Day.
In the end, as the celebrations draw near, the question lingers: will you be sewing or buying your Christmas outfit this year?
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
